Everblades sign pair of rookies

ESTERO, Fla. - Florida Everblades General Manager Craig Brush, along with Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Brad Ralph, announced they agreed to terms with forwards Jake Durflinger and Oliver Chau for the 2022-23 season.

Durflinger, 24, joins the Everblades after completing a five-year collegiate career at the University of Denver and Merrimack College. At the University of Denver, the Walnut Creek, California native tallied 33 points (15g-18a) in 131 games through four seasons.

Durflinger was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Academic All-Conference Team all four seasons with the Pioneers. In addition, Durflinger was on the NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete list for his freshman, sophomore, and senior seasons. Denver made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament during Durflinger’s collegiate career, reaching the Frozen Four in the 2018-19 season. Durflinger notched nine points (3g-6a) in 34 games during his graduate season at Merrimack College in 2021-22.

Before attending college, Durflinger played for the Sioux City Musketeers and the Bloomington Thunder in the United States Hockey. Durflinger tallied 24 points (9g-15a) in 62 games with the Musketeers and served as an alternate captain during the 2015-16 season. He then posted 56 points (23g-33a) in 103 games with the Thunder. Durflinger was one of the team’s alternate captains during the 2016-17 season.

Chau, 24, joins the Everblades after registering four assists in 10 games during the 2021-22 season for the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. 

Before turning professional, Chau attended played at the University of Massachusetts for four seasons and Quinnipiac University for a fifth season. From 2017-21, Chau accumulated 84 points (28g-56a) in 135 games with the Minutemen.

During his four-year stay at UMass, Chau competed in two Frozen Fours. He was a member of the National Championship team as a senior in 2020-21, while also helping the Minutemen to national runner-up honors in 2018-19.